Creative Opportunities: December 2023
Your monthly round up of news, events, opportunities, call-outs and funding
There’s just a few weeks left of 2023, but we’re not done yet!
Join us on Wednesday for an event all about Art Tech, on Friday for our annual Christmas Party, or choose from any one of these exciting upcoming events below :)
We’ve had an absolute blast this year, and can’t wait to see what next year brings.
Sending love and festive joy 💛
Team YC
xx
Tech York x York Creatives present Art-Tech: What It Is and Why It Matters
Diana will open the world of Art-Tech for you; describing what it is, where it's going, and why it's important.
• Weds 29 Nov 19:00 to 21:00
• No cost, but booking required
• The Hiscox Building
York Creatives Christmas Party 2023!
Friday 1st December 18:00 - 22:00
SPARK:York CIC
£10.00 general admission
Join us on Friday 1st December for our annual festive get together, where we host a Christmas party for all of you creative souls.
Many members of our community are freelancers, business owners, or remote workers, so miss out on all of the fun of a staff do. Fear not - York Creatives to the rescue!
We'll have fun, games and plenty of cheer - plus all of the food and drink SPARK has to offer.
Throw on your best Christmas jumper and we'll see you there!
Multi-disciplinary event: Perspectives of Nature
Friday 1st December 13:30 - 18:00
York St John University Creative Centre
Free admission
Perspectives of Nature is a York St John University Postgraduate research led multi-artistic event focused on showcasing different perspectives of nature through art.
The event will centre around Journey, showcasing the work of composer Ewan East, artist Alice Baxter, and creative writing group Naturewrights. the event will feature musical performances, panels, guest speakers and opportunities for up-and-coming creatives to present their own nature-led work.
Christmas Open Studios: Pica Studios
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December
Pica Studios, Grape Lane & Fossgate
Free entry
Pica Studios and Rogues Atelier, both artist-led studios, will be open for a Christmas special on the first weekend of December from 10am - 5pm. Jewellery, ceramics, prints, paintings, illustration, and original art will be on sale. Come along to meet and support local artists and start your Christmas shopping here!
Embossed Tin Christmas Decorations Workshop
Tuesday 5th December 6-8pm
Bluebird Bakery, Acomb
£28.00 + booking fee
Join local artist and designer Susan Bradley for this creative workshop and create your own unique Christmas decorations.
Susan’s award-winning metal designs are made from thin sheets of tin and range from large scale exterior installations to small interior products.
In this workshop, you will learn how to cut and emboss the metal sheeting to create your own hand made Christmas decorations. Choose from one of Susan’s pre-made templates or use your own designs to create a truly unique product.
No prior experience is required, the workshop is open to anyone aged 16+, and the café will be open to purchase cakes, mince pies, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
The Aesthetics of Access: A director’s journey in creatively integrated access
Tuesday 5th December 19:00pm
Black Box Theatre, University of York
Free admission
This session will explore the journey of theatre director, Amy Leach. Amy’s creative practice integrates access as an integral creative layer and explores how theatre-makers can see sign language, audio description, and caption not only as add-on accessibility tools, but as new creative opportunities.
The session will explore Amy’s creative journey and career, as well as how we can go about exploring the creative opportunities of integrating access into our work.
York Filmmakers x BFI Film Hub North Mixer
Wednesday, 6 December 2023, 19:00 - 21:00
City Screen Basement Bar
Free entry
Join York Filmmakers for an evening of networking with your fellow filmmakers and creatives.
BFI Film Hub North will be on hand to explain the latest round of funding and development opportunities available through BFI NETWORK, and we'll be screening an example of a recently funded film, along with a chat with the filmmakers themselves.
Live Performance: Femme Fatale Faerytales - A Christmas Carol Retold
Sunday 10th December 18:00 - 22:00
The Black Swan, Peasholme Green
£10.00 general admission
Join Women Witches Warriors for their retelling of the age-old classic: A Christmas Carol, this time with an all female cast. Come face to face with Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Throw light on the shadows of yesteryears in order to welcome in a much brighter future.
This event is strictly for those aged 18+
Theatre Performance: After Life by Out of Character Theatre Company
Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th December
Creative Centre Auditorium, York St John University
£5.00 general admission
Out of Character Theatre Company is an innovative, York-based theatre company and charity creating work that will both excite and intrigue their audiences.
After Life, by Jack Thorne, is adapted from Hirokazu Kore-eda’s award winning film and offers a surreal, powerful look at the way we view our lives and memories. The production was originally premiered at the National Theatre in 2021 and now the local theatre company are set to present the work to local audiences at York St John’s Creative Centre Auditorium.
The performance is open to those aged 12 and over and includes some potentially triggering topics.
Research Seminar: Dis/Appearances of HIV in British Art: The Case of Helen Chadwick’s Viral Landscapes
Wednesday 13th December 18:00 - 19:00
Room BS/005, Berrick Saul Building, University of York
Free admission
In this research seminar, Dr Theo Gordon, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow, will discuss how Helen Chadwick’s Viral Landscapes pose HIV as a condition of the contemporary, and posits that the work offers a vision of the dissolution of boundaries, realising HIV as a crisis that persists into and pressurises the present moment.
This is set to be an insightful and topical research seminar, open to students, alumni, staff, and members of the public.
Arts events throughout December: Rise @ Bluebird Bakery
Dates throughout December
Bluebird Bakery, Acomb
Rise at Bluebird Bakery is Acomb’s community evening arts venue. Events run year-round and the December programme brings a variety of performances, exhibitions, fairs and social events, many of which are free to attend.
Highlights include:
Retro Gaming Quiz Night on Wednesday 6th December
Family Friendly Makers Fair on Thursday 7th December
Freida Nipples Christmas Cabaret on Friday 8th December
The full programme including timings and prices can be found at the link below.